Ask a doctor - Why is my ankle swelling after a knee injury?

Q. Why is my ankle swelling after a knee injury?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Experiencing ankle swelling after a knee injury is a relatively common occurrence and can be attributed to several factors:

Inflammation and Fluid Accumulation: When you injure your knee, it can lead to inflammation around the joint. This inflammation can cause fluid to accumulate in the surrounding tissues, including the ankle, leading to swelling.

Compensatory Movement: After a knee injury, you may unconsciously alter your gait or movement patterns to avoid putting pressure on the injured knee. This change in movement can put extra strain on the ankle, leading to swelling.

Nerve Irritation: Nerves in the knee and ankle are interconnected. Pain and irritation from the knee injury can sometimes radiate down to the ankle, causing both pain and swelling.

Secondary Injuries: In some cases, the force of a knee injury can affect other structures in the leg, including the ankle. Ligaments, tendons, or muscles around the ankle may be impacted, leading to swelling.

Reduced Mobility: Following a knee injury, you may be less mobile or bear less weight on the affected leg. Reduced activity and immobilization can contribute to fluid accumulation and swelling in the ankle.

Existing Conditions: If you had a pre-existing ankle condition, a knee injury can exacerbate it and cause additional swelling.

A knee injury can cause ankle swelling because the knee and ankle are connected by muscles and ligaments. When one part of the body is injured, the other parts may compensate and become overloaded. This can lead to swelling in all of the joints that are affected.

If you have a knee injury, it's important to ice the area, take anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed, and elevate your leg as much as possible. If the ankle swells too much or becomes red or warm to the touch, seek medical attention right away.